14. A Suitable Dungeon (4)
The ghosts had grotesque appearances. Legless ones floated through the air with their torn-out entrails trailing behind, while those with half their faces blown off screamed through clusters of eyeballs instead of mouths. A horrific sight not meant for sober eyes.
So that's why this dungeon's called the Tomb of the Proficient.
These were vengeful spirits of proficient adventurers who'd come here confident in their skills, only to meet their end. If you died here, you'd become one of these ashen ghosts, doomed to haunt this mansion forever.
"Run!"
"Undead!"
The apprentice knights drew their swords in unison. They might be newbies by Windsor standards, but to the average eye, they were well-trained veterans with quick reactions.
"Fall back and keep your distance!"
"I'll clear a path! Everyone, push through fast and breach the rooms—!"
But they still had a long way to go.
Keep breaking the rules.
2. Do not make loud noises!
Noise pollution lowers surrounding land values!
The consequences of breaking the rules came immediately.
"Guhk."
Those who'd screamed clutched their throats and collapsed simultaneously. Sisilia's eyes darkened deeply.
"Wh-what is this…?!"
Someone swung their sword, but physical force meant nothing against ghost-types. It passed right through empty air.
"Si-Sisilia…!"
An apprentice knight gripped Sisilia's ankle in terror.
"S-save me! Please save me! The test is over… p-please!"
"I'm the youngest of the Heinz family! J-just spare me, and I'll give ample compensation!"
This chaos had erupted in less than three minutes since it started. Knights screamed, forgetting the rules entirely, swinging swords wildly at nothing.
"Hah."
Sisilia felt a flicker of irritation but remembered her role.
"I won't interfere. Even if you become vengeful spirits haunting here eternally. Surely you didn't enter a dungeon without steeling yourselves for death?"
But unlike her perfect beautiful instructor, a bit strict performance, the results were disappointing.
Judgment lacking.
Insight lacking.
Basic skills lacking.
They were sigh-worthy. As Marcus had said, this batch of apprentices was dismal.
But continuing like this makes the training pointless.
Any further, and it'd be abuse, not training. Sisilia had no hobby of tormenting innocents. She decided swiftly.
This is far enough.
She drew her sword to signal the end—
"Don't scream."
A charging ghost vanished in a burst of light. Sisilia glanced at the knight beside her: the cute girl she'd noticed earlier, Beatrice.
"And blessings seem to work. Everyone, coat your swords in aura. Less efficient, but it's the best option."
Her sword glowed like fireflies. A rare light blessing.
Whoa. Rare.
Sisilia blinked, sheathing her sword as if nothing happened. Beatrice bravely faced the ghosts, but her trembling hands betrayed her fear. She was holding it together.
…Impressive. And cute.
Worth watching for now.
Hehehehehe!
"Damn, damn, damn."
Up front, Riha튼 spat curses nonstop to shake off his fear. Come on! Stay with us! The damn ghosts even spoke, their voices a creepy mix of male and female tones. He itched to rip off his own ears.
But I can't back down.
Riha튼 calmed himself, sensing silent footsteps right behind. This intake's top cadet, Beatrice Schwartzfeder. The girl a head shorter than him pressed on without quitting. He couldn't embarrass himself by flopping first like some guy.
Riha튼 gripped his sword tight and infused it with aura.
"Second floor now. Can you cover me, Betty?"
"…Yeah."
She stepped forward with a curt reply, ducking behind the second-floor railing and peeking down the hall. Hello? A polite ghost greeted her—mouth torn to its ears, lower body missing. Beatrice nearly screamed.
Scary.
Truth be told, she trembled more than anyone here. She wanted to run. But she couldn't.
"…."
Beatrice glanced back. An emotionless presence amid the crisis: Windsor's knight, the Sword Princess Sisilia. For some reason, the ghosts ignored her. No—they cowered in corners, hands on heads, sobbing just from eye contact.
Shiver. Goosebumps rose. Beatrice swallowed hard, facing forward.
If I quit here, it's not the ghosts—Sisilia will wipe us out.
Quit and it's easy! Quit and it's easy!
I want to…!
If she'd known it'd be this brutal, she never would've dreamed of Windsor. She'd just enlisted for status! She wanted to quit, toss it all, and flee. But Sisilia scared her more than the ghosts.
Wanna come together? Wanna come together? A grotesque ghost approached, arms sprouting where legs should be.
Sorry, sorry. Sorry for arrogantly challenging Windsor. I'll withdraw after this. I'll help my parents farm.
Beatrice held back tears and shouted.
"Sunshine!"
A wave of light exploded. Riha튼 charged the hall, cleaving three ghosts at once. He exhaled sharply, nodding. They hurried down the corridor—not running, but fast.
Creeeak!
One by one, they entered rooms. But the ghosts stalled by Beatrice's Sunshine stirred again. Sweating coldly, Riha튼 urged.
"Betty, again."
"I'm already sustaining it… no good. They feel stronger somehow."
"Damn, the rules? They get tougher the later it gets."
Riha튼 turned back urgently.
"Everyone, nearest room. Don't die."
He pushed ahead to clear, with a few apprentices alongside. Beatrice slipped aside slyly.
He said enter, so now it's fine?
Gulp. The doorknob looked sweeter than ever. Maybe a bed inside. She was exhausted. Wanted to shed this uncomfortable armor and sleep.
But— Sisilia entered her view as she reached for it.
"Hic!"
Beatrice flinched with a hiccup. Eye contact.
Thud.
Sisilia approached slowly, leisurely. Meanwhile, knights rushed to nearest doors.
Whoosh!
"Kuhk…."
The first to open tumbled, groaning silently. A sudden gust had blown him away.
Creeeak.
A door opened to empty space. Unconscious apprentices floating behind Sisilia were hurled into rooms one by one.
Thud.
Two per room, doors shut automatically. Those already inside were bounced out.
"Wh-why…?!"
"Freeloading is a crime."
Beatrice didn't know "freeloading," but her instincts screamed.
Take the easy path, and she'll make your life hell…!
Cruel! Heartless villainess! Beatrice teared up, hurrying after Riha튼.
—Heard Windsor has no normals. Especially the officers—all crazies.
A peer's words resurfaced. She'd thought it a joke. Beatrice sincerely, deeply apologized for doubting it.
"One room left."
"All three in."
Beatrice grabbed Riha튼's hand suddenly.
"No. Only two fit."
"No way. Room was big. Five easy…."
"Sisilia's orders. Not two, she'll snap legs with wind."
"What?!"
Riha튼 nearly yelled, clamping his mouth. Screams—not normal ones—echoed as bodies flew.
"Shit, temper matches the looks."
Riha튼 grimaced—not quite a smile.
"You two in. I'll solo the third floor."
Dresen frowned.
"Why you? Let me…."
"Let me play cool once."
Dresen chuckled, nodding.
"In we go, Betty. Hate bunking guys, but forgive."
"Uh, yeah…."
In a life-or-death pinch, who cared? Beatrice was just glad to escape.
"…Sorry, Riha튼."
Clunk. Door shut.
Unlike the outside racket, the room was silent. But joy was fleeting. Beatrice recalled Sisilia's cold gaze before entering.
Why…?
Clang! Fighting right outside—Riha튼 struggling. Ghosts swarming.
A sudden realization.
I still have mana spare… but Dresen and Riha튼 probably not.
They'd led the charge. She'd been upfront too, but support only. But could Sisilia know her remaining mana? No such ability….
Of course she does!
Beatrice's lips quivered. Stay put? She'd get flung around till death by wind.
"I know what you're thinking—restrain. Riha튼's ready to sacrifice…."
Beatrice flung open the door.
"What are you—!"
"Shh."
She grabbed Riha튼's nape, tossed him in, and stepped out.
"Hm."
Sisilia stood right there. Beatrice nearly collapsed. Sisilia toyed with her lips appraisingly. Long lashes lowered slowly.
Nod.
"…!"
Good call. A second later, she'd be airborne. But like fish spotting bait, ghosts swarmed.
Outta the room! Outta the room! Outta the room! Broke rules! Retaliate! Retaliate!
"Eek…."
Beatrice's hand shook; her sword's light flickered. Ghost wails circled her ears—she shut her eyes reflexively.
Shoulda stayed in…!
Too late. Face pale, limbs trembling, tears leaked from overwhelming fear. Instinctively, she glanced aside.
In inescapable peril, humans seek stronger aid.
"…."
Cold. Sisilia's expression was icy.
Don't hit… I was wrong! Wrong! We'll all die… all die…
Even ghosts shivered at the faint killing intent. But Beatrice ignored them. Sisilia's rippling cold pupils seemed to ask, This your resolve for Windsor?
Better die to ghosts. Cross her, three generations wiped out.
Terror overriding, Beatrice swung.
"Lumen Strike!"
"Holy Radiant Slash!"
"Roar of Light—!"
Every skill real or not, unleashed. Half-trance, they ascended to the third floor. Her light swordplay lit the dark hall.
Scary! Scary! Scary! What is this? What? Weird! Midnight! Bell tolls! Aaah!
Lucky. Ghosts feared light. Should've noticed sooner.
"Hahk, heuk—"
Ding.
Final bell tolled; Beatrice entered a room successfully. She collapsed inside.
"D-did it."
Overcoming fear, bold leadership. Weak yet considerate. Unyielding tenacity. Even glancing at the overseer for praise amid it all.
Pass.
Sisilia was satisfied. She'd leaked some killing intent to stall ghosts at the end—but reaching the third floor was Beatrice's doing, refusing to quit.
Above all.
"Yum."
That soft newbie's movement was too tantalizing.
Cute, strong, kind newbie…
Slurp. Sisilia wiped drool with her sleeve. Unexpected gain before official open.